Before you start throwing hijab pins and stinking socks at me, I would like to apologize for the late update. Like I'm really sorry people. School started and I have been hella busy. Home works, assignments and a lot of other stuff. I dont know why they call it school, it should be called stress factory.

....So enough with my pointless rant.

This chapter is to all the readers who maintained their patience throughout the time I didn't update.

Before starting with the chapter, where do you think Zeeniya went?
If you want a faster update then you have to leave loads of comments. Let's begin with the chapter..

#NotEdited

Adam

"Your car is perfectly fine. There was a minor oil leak, but no worries I just fixed it." The young couple's faces lit up as soon as I handed them the keys. "Off you go. Drive safe." Waving them goodbye I drived my attention to the phone which was constantly beeping from the past fifteen minutes.

Omar

Swiping the screen with greased hands, I adjusted the phone between my ear and shoulder.

"Assalam o Alikum."

"Where are you?" His rushed voice was a clear indication for something gone wrong.

"Erm...umm... is something wrong?" Hesitation was visible in my voice.

"No Sherlock! Tell me where are you? Is Zeeniya with you?"

"I'm at the workshop and...she is not here.Now will you tell me what happened?" I wiped my hands with the cloth, impatiently waiting for his answer.

There was pause as if he was talking to someone else. 'No, she is not with him', 'I'll ask him to check'.

Well it was easy to put two and two together.

Without any further notice I cut the call and hurriedly grabbed my the keys of my grey Toyota Yaris Hybrid and got out of the glass doors of the workshop.

"Will you close up for me, Carl?" I didn't need to wait for the answer, I already knew it.

~*~

Zeeniya

I parked Ninja a few meters away from the premises. Carefully stepping towards the the rusted, ancient gate. The gate had been beautiful once upon a time. What was left of the fancy designs and the iron bars was covered in rust, and the gate was barely hanging on to it's hinges. Needless to say, it was a sad piece of work. If the gate could talk, it would probably say something along the lines of, "Somebody shoot me now."

There was huge lock on it which seems kind of impossible to break, so there was only one other option left; breaking in or as I call it 'testing my ninja abilities'. Moving ahead, I fixed my right foot in one of the rusted iron bars and clutched on it firmly. Moving my legs over the other side, like a ninja I smoothly landed on the other side. I got up, dusted my sweatpants and took out my phone for illumination. The dark clouds followed as I made my way inside. The howling wind echoed through the trees, the wet leaves shone, reflecting the moonlit sky.

A fresh chill ran along my spine, as I came close her. It took me a mere handful of minutes to reach her side. My heart picked up a race as I sat down beside her, a million things running through my head. I criss-crossed my legs, folding my sweaty palms in my lap.

"Hey Mummy." I managed a hoarse greeting.

After getting haunted silence in reply, I continued.

"I know I have been a bad daughter. I didn't come yesterday." I closed my eyes, trying to imagine her in front of me.

"Well, blame Omar and Zayd. They blessed us with their gracious presence." I chucked at my own remark.

"I'm sorry Mum I lied to Ad. When he asked me why I missed class, the day before yesterday."
She would have twisted my ears if she was here.

"I'm just...I'm not ready to tell them yet."

For a few moments, I sat there, listening to the crickets chirping, the rustling of dead autumn leaves and the wind blowing. My eyes wandered around the cemetery, hundreds of people buried six feet under the ground. This has been my routine for the last three years. It took me more than 365 days to built up the courage to come here. Nobody knows about it,not even Dad or Adam.I believe somethings are meant to be secrets, you don't have to go disclosing them to others.

And so, there, I sat for hours spilling everything that had happened in the past few days. From that crazy psychopath Nayal guy, to him being my project partner. I mentioned the whole Dani's thing to her. Although I know she would never like it as Hamdan was her favorite kid, despite me being the only daughter. For the last few hours I have tried to avoid Dani's venom-like words. I didn't need to be told that it was all my fault. Damn me.

You were there with her

You don't remember

You let her die

His words stung like lemon on a burn, like alcohol on a deep cut, like a dagger into a broken heart.

"Mum, you know I didn't mean any of that to happen. I d...I don't know, I don't know what happened that night...." I held back the stream of hot tears, waiting to be unshackled from the barriers of my eyes. I hugged my arms around my knees, cradling back and forth violently, controlling the roller coaster of emotions inside me. I closed my eyes, trying to gulp it all down which seemed implausible at this moment. I rested my throbbing head on my knees, between my arms, taxing to get some peace.

~*~

Adam

It was not easy to climb that horrendous ancient gate but I somehow managed. There was now a huge tear on my blue shirt with those idiotic iron bars.

I started looking around for that stupid girl aka Zeen. What did she think? I couldn't find her? I have known her from the time we we're in our Mum's womb. I never let her know that I'm fairly aware of her secret trips.

I strolled towards her grave, having a battle in my head.My stopped dead in my tracks, eyes shut, gathering the courage to go towards the only two girls in my life. I promised her that i'll protect Zeen. That I'll never let a drop of tear slip from her eyes.That I'll be there for her, always. I know she wasn't my blood sister,Zeen, but I loved her more than my own life. But I never let her know, because the world is full of egotists and we wouldn't wanna escalate the number.

Running a hand through my black hair, I padded towards her, I could make out her her silhouette , sitting there like a little kid who got tired from a day at the playground. I knew she won't be crying. She never does. Like...never.

"Zeen....?" It came out more like a question as I placed a hand on her shoulder.

Abruptly she spun her head around, wearing a shocked and surprised expression. I gave her a weak smile and sat down crossed leg beside her. Silence elaborates more than words. We sat there for a good half an hour, engulfed by the unspoken words.

"We should go. I already missed my Maghrib prayers." She said in monotone.
I watched her getting up, dusting her clothes, then sparing a glance at me.

"You getting up or I have to call the entire British Forces to lift up your butt?" With an eyebrow raised, she smirked at me. She is back, the Zeen, the world sees is back.

Together we walked to our respected rides. She hoped on Ninja, wore her helmet and then turned to me.

"You heading home?"

"Nah. I have to go buy a few things for the workshop."

"Okay. Allah Hafiz." She slightly nodded and then sped off.

Once, she was out off site, I got into my car and headed for Reading. It was pretty late but I really need to buy those tools for the car workshop. I started working there four years back, when i moved out. I needed money for the rent and my college tuitions. The work was crucial but it paid off pretty well. Dad condemned me to work, he wanted to pay for me, I wanna be independent. And even after four years, he still gets annoyed when I mention it.

~*~

Zeeniya

To say I was dumbfounded seeing Adam, would be an understatement. How in the world did he possibly find out?
I was so careful this whole time. I guess that's what best friends are for. Like when in fifth grade he had a crush on this girl in our class and he didn't tell anyone but I just found out. Best friends instincts I guess.

I just didn't want to go home. Maybe I can crash at Ad's place. Thats the perk of having a best friend who has a spare room in his apartment.

On the way back, I stopped at halal Turkish diner and ordered two eggplant stuffed trout, with raisin rice and koftas. That would be enough for both Ad and I.

I scavanged my jeans and hoodie's pocket for money. By the end of my search I had 25 pounds and the bill was of 23 pounds. I thanked Allah for saving my butt otherwise I would have been asking people for money or worse....canceling my precious order.
After paying the bill, I took out my phone, realizing that it was close to being dead. With only 1% battery left, I texted Adam. As if my phone took it as it's cue to die.

~*~

Adam

It took me half an hour to reach Reading. I was in middle of my business when I received Zeen's text.

I'll be at your place in ten. Got the food. Lets make it a movie night. This one is for the 'best friend's instincts.' ;)

Zeen

I smiled softly after reading it. And as a lightening bolt it struck me.

Sweet shiz!

I think I'm gonna a have a panic attack. I tried calling and messaging her but nada, her phone was off.
She can't be at my place. She just can't. If she is there before me, then I'll probably be a dead man by tomorrow.
Want to know why?

Because a friend is at my place....I rented him the spare room.

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